Bamboo Sketches
by Charity Lee Jennings
10 Minute Drawing
From the busyness of our move to a laid back summer, back again to busyness. We’re starting up our homeschool year and every time I turn around there is another question to answer, another job to do. Yet, I’m determined, even in the most demanding times, to create...
China’s Lotus Blossoms
My friends and I headed back to the lake where I hosted my Birthday Field Sketch. I wanted to return to the lotus blossoms. Sketching on site usually lends to loosening up, like in my Subway Portraits, but this scene was so beautiful, I sat on a ledge by the lake for...
Bus Portraits
My models on the bus were much more cooperative than those on the subway, as they settled in for the ride across the city. I'm often amazed how few people notice me drawing - the man beside me was an exception. He gave me the thumbs up, then motioned to himself,...
Subway Portraits
45 minutes on the subway. We all settled in - me with my sketchbook, by son with a book, and my daughter crocheting. In fact we were so settled, we missed our interchange station and as we got off to backtrack saw the other train driving away! I was sad to be late to...
Subway Shoe Portraits
I never get as much time as I want on these sketches, as people shuffle around at each stop and sometimes my model decides to get off the train! But what a great way to pass the trip. And a quick sketch of my travel companion!
Birthday Model
I absolutely love drawing people. My daughter knows this so as a birthday gift she offered to model for me for half an hour. The time flew by and as relaxed as she looked, when her timer went off she bolted up saying, "Can I see your drawing?" Then she flew off. I...
Birthday Field Sketch
While walking, I noticed a group of people in chairs, scattered along the riverside. They were sketching and even before I could see their work, I felt the atmosphere of peace they created. Impressed, I approached one of the girls to ask about the group but she...
Aloe in the Window
I couldn’t pass this window by. I was working on a much more complicated study of a row of historic buildings, but it was this scene that I passed on my way home that came together. In China, the vast majority of people live in apartment buildings so this...
Whimsical Flowers
The activities of each day have been dictated by our move, for past weeks. Finally, we're moved in. And somewhat settled. This sketch is a deep sigh after a busy time. It was refreshing to sit in the gardens and sketch, even if just for a few minutes, and these...
At The Cliffhanger
I know now why I didn’t purge until our pending move forced it upon me. It was the sight of our cupboard lying in the truck on its way to its new owners that brought it to light. Across the top of the cupboard was a sign, Give Thanks. The letters were faded, cut from...
Errand Drawing
My dream was to draw every day during our move. My reality has been catching moments while running errands. Yesterday turned into much more than a moment, when, while trying to complete my transaction, the computer malfunctioned. I was so thankful I'm in the...
Stolen Sketch
It’s by no means a masterpiece, but it’s special nonetheless. This sketch symbolizes a few stolen moments in the midst of a few strenuous weeks. If you’ve moved recently, you know what I mean. My life has been swallowed by sorting and packing, so much so that I...